109th Congress / House / 1st session / Vote 661
- Question: On Passage
- Bill: H R 4437
- Vote description: Border Protection, Antiterrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act
- Vote type: Recorded Vote (Help)
- Result: Passed, 239-182, with 13 not voting.
- Date/time: December 16, 2005, 10:33 p.m.
- Republican majority opinion: Yes (Help)
- Democrat majority opinion: No (Help)
Key Vote Analysis
This bill revealed major divisions within the Republican Party over the issue of immigration. President Bush proposed a "balanced approach" of tightened boarder security and a guest worker program for undocumented immigrants currently in the United States. But a more hardline Republican faction in the House was able to turn the tide against the president's plan. The result was this bill, which clamped down on illegal immigration and toughened border security, but omitted any new avenue for current illegal immigrants to gain legal status.
The bill would impose stiffer fines for employers who hire illegal aliens, add new mandatory minimum sentences for immigrant smugglers, and mandate automatic detention and deportation for immigrants caught crossing the border illegally. In addition it would add mandatory sentences for illegal immigrants who re-renter the country after being deported. The bill was opposed by what a Washington Post report called "unusual coalition of business lobbies; ethnic groups, such as the National Council of La Raza; religious organizations; and labor unions" that argued "the measure is too harsh on illegal immigrants and imposes unworkable requirements on employers." Proponents asserted that the bill included essential security measures for keeping the country safe.
After passage in late 2005, the House bill moved to the Senate, which took up immigration reform in April 2006. The Senate came close to agreeing on a compromise bill that would have included broadened security measures and a guest worker program for undocumented workers who had been in the country for more than five years. However, negotiations over amendments to the bill broke down just before the Easter recess and the Senate adjourned without taking action.
See other key votes in the 109th Congress
